Alberta budget news

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Slava

This is why I want to see how they get to those figures. I have absolutely zero problem with consumption taxes like alcohol and VLTs. I have some major misgivings about VLTs in general, but that is another issue.

I would rather have paid more in tax than introduce VLTs, I think they're a regressive, addictive way of raising revenue.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I would rather have paid more in tax than introduce VLTs, I think they're a regressive, addictive way of raising revenue.

and they take money from local communities and send it all to Edmonton. I campaigned very actively against VLTs years ago. I would love to see them removed.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

http://www.wildrose.ca/feature/is-al...are-the-facts/

I note that those numbers make no mention of provincial sales tax revenues, which are of course a significant source of revenue in every province except Alberta. Therefore those numbers are very misleading. Quelle surprise.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Slava

and they take money from local communities and send it all to Edmonton. I campaigned very actively against VLTs years ago. I would love to see them removed.

Never happen. VLTs are addictive for gamblers, but they're also addictive to the provincial gov't and bar owners (aka local small businesses) who are committed to the revenue stream.

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Makarov

I note that those numbers make no mention of provincial sales tax revenues, which are of course a significant source of revenue in every province except Alberta. Therefore those numbers are very misleading. Quelle surprise.

Link please?

I think the numbers demonstrate exactly why we dont need a sales tax in this province.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Slava

I actually just read the Wildrose plan (It's so good I can't bring myself to link to it)

FYP

And here is the link.

http://www.wildrosecaucus.ca/media/2...an-FINAL-3.pdf

and they make some good points. (Hope you were sitting down for that). .

Yes, I was. Thank god.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by First Lady

FYP

And here is the link.

http://www.wildrosecaucus.ca/media/2...an-FINAL-3.pdf



Yes, I was. Thank god.

I guess I should've linked it and astounded everyone!

[darklord700]

The WR budget makes sense. Cut cut cut and audit the hell out of every department to save money. Slackers in government building in Edmonton, of which I personally knew a few, will be running scared. They can forget about winning in Edmonton now but that's the right thing to do.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by darklord700

The WR budget makes sense. Cut cut cut and audit the hell out of every department to save money. Slackers in government building in Edmonton, of which I personally knew a few, will be running scared. They can forget about winning in Edmonton now but that's the right thing to do.

Maybe you're right. A culture of fear and loathing for employees is probably the message that I want to send as a taxpayer. I'm sure that would really encourage people to go above and beyond in their positions and really do a fantastic job.

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Slava

Maybe you're right. A culture of fear and loathing for employees is probably the message that I want to send as a taxpayer. I'm sure that would really encourage people to go above and beyond in their positions and really do a fantastic job.

Yes, clearly paying the bureaucracy 20-30% more than other provinces while having double the amount of managers is working wonders for Alberta!

Something has to change, and the Wildrose plan looks perfect. Everyone knows front line workers aren't the problem, focus on the expensive and inefficient management and bureaucrats and let the real people do their jobs.

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Yes, clearly paying the bureaucracy 20-30% more than other provinces while having double the amount of managers is working wonders for Alberta!

Something has to change, and the Wildrose plan looks perfect. Everyone knows front line workers aren't the problem, focus on the expensive and inefficient management and bureaucrats and let the real people do their jobs.

Private workers in Alberta make much more than other provinces as well, should they also get a 20% paycut?

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

Private workers in Alberta make much more than other provinces as well, should they also get a 20% paycut?

Public workers in Alberta, on average, make 10% more than their private counterparts, before counting the generous pension benefits unmatched in the private sector.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Everyone knows front line workers aren't the problem, focus on the expensive and inefficient management and bureaucrats and let the real people do their jobs.

I like this document.

AHS Org Chart

53 pages of Executive Directors, VP's and yadda, yadda.

Originally Posted by oilyfan

Private workers in Alberta make much more than other provinces as well, should they also get a 20% paycut?

Why would anyone care; they aren't being paid with OUR money.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

Private workers in Alberta make much more than other provinces as well, should they also get a 20% paycut?

Sure, if the economy is bad, they should be let go too like then in 2009. Did we let any government employees go in 2009?

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Why would anyone care; they aren't being paid with OUR money.

Funny I thought we wanted to run a more efficient government with the brightest and the best? Are government workers not recruited from the same labour pool as private ones?

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Sure, if the economy is bad, they should be let go too like then in 2009. Did we let any government employees go in 2009?

Giving 20% paycuts vs laying off people are very different things. I support reducing the size of government but expecting government workers to make less is not sustainable.

When I was looking for a new position (after my move to Calgary) I was offered a position by AHS that would have paid me 15% less than what I was offered in private industry, obviously I refused.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

Funny I thought we wanted to run a more efficient government with the brightest and the best? Are government workers not recruited from the same labour pool as private ones?

If we are truly running more efficiently we wouldn't need one manager for every four employees.

[OzSome]

The problem is we have way too many politicians (MLA or MPs or whatever you call them) making way too much money and they are not doing anything. Then they charge the government expenses that an ordinary person couldn't even do.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by First Lady

If we are truly running more efficiently we wouldn't need one manager for every four employees.

Can you provide a link for that number?

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by OzSome

The problem is we have way too many politicians (MLA or MPs or whatever you call them) making way too much money and they are not doing anything. Then they charge the government expenses that an ordinary person couldn't even do.

That may be the smallest problem as part of the budget. Not saying that I approve of the abuse of power but to point fingers at the MLAs as being the problem because of thousands of dollars of questionable expenses, in comparison to a billions of dollar budget is missing the major issues.